Rural Indian woman cooking with LPG, symbolizing clean energy transition.

Fueling Change: How India's LPG Program Impacts Households and What's Next

Lena Voss in Politics & Policy September 2025 • 4 min read.

"Uncover the effects of the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) on Indian families, exploring its successes, challenges, and future implications for energy access."

Access to clean energy is more than a convenience; it's a cornerstone of a high-quality life. Yet, for many across the globe, clean energy remains a distant dream. In India, while significant strides have been made in electrifying households, access to clean cooking fuels lags behind, leaving millions vulnerable to the health and environmental consequences of traditional methods. This gap highlights the urgent need for targeted interventions designed to bring modern cooking solutions to those who need them most.

Enter the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY), a flagship program launched by the Indian government to provide Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) connections to women from Below Poverty Line (BPL) households. PMUY aimed to combat indoor air pollution and reduce dependence on traditional cooking fuels like firewood, coal, and dung cakes. The program offered a deposit-free LPG connection, covering the cost of the cylinder, regulator, and installation, significantly lowering the initial barrier to adoption.

But has PMUY truly delivered on its promise? This article explores the impact of PMUY on Indian households, examining its successes, challenges, and the road ahead. By analyzing data, regional variations, and socio-economic factors, we uncover the complexities of energy access in India and provide insights into how policies can be tailored to achieve sustainable and equitable outcomes.

Did PMUY Light the Fire? Assessing the Impact on LPG Adoption

Rural Indian woman cooking with LPG, symbolizing clean energy transition.

The effectiveness of PMUY has been a subject of much debate. While the program undeniably increased LPG connections, the actual impact on sustained usage is more nuanced. A recent study critically evaluated PMUY's impact, employing Propensity Score Matching and Difference-in-Differences estimators on data from the National Family Health Survey (NFHS). The results reveal a modest 2.1 percentage point increase in LPG consumption among intended beneficiaries.

This increase, while statistically significant, underscores the complexities of changing deeply ingrained cooking habits and addressing economic constraints. A parallel decrease in firewood consumption suggests a shift in fuel preferences, but the modest scale of change highlights the need for a deeper understanding of the factors influencing sustained LPG adoption.

Factors influencing sustained LPG adoption:

Affordability: The price of LPG cylinders remains a significant barrier for low-income households, especially with fluctuating global energy prices and subsidy adjustments.
Behavioral Factors: Traditional cooking practices and preferences can be difficult to change, requiring targeted awareness campaigns and community engagement.
Accessibility: While PMUY provides connections, reliable access to refills, especially in remote areas, is crucial for sustained usage.

Regional analysis further reveals disparities in PMUY's impact. The North, West, and South regions of India have witnessed more significant progress in LPG adoption compared to the East and North East. These variations underscore the importance of tailoring policies to local contexts, considering factors like income levels, infrastructure, and cultural norms.

Policy Recommendations: Igniting a Sustainable Energy Transition

PMUY has undoubtedly played a crucial role in expanding access to clean cooking fuels in India. However, to achieve a truly sustainable energy transition, policymakers must address the challenges hindering sustained LPG adoption. Targeted interventions, income support, and community-specific approaches are essential to ensure that the benefits of clean cooking reach all households, regardless of their socio-economic status or geographic location. Only then can India truly realize the vision of a healthy and prosperous future powered by clean energy.

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This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2403.17112,

Title: The Impact Of Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana On Indian Households

Subject: econ.gn q-fin.ec

Authors: Nabeel Asharaf, Richard S. J. Tol

Published: 25-03-2024

Everything You Need To Know

What is the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY), and what was its primary goal?

The Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) is a flagship program launched by the Indian government. It aimed to provide Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) connections to women from Below Poverty Line (BPL) households. The primary goal of PMUY was to combat indoor air pollution and reduce dependence on traditional cooking fuels like firewood, coal, and dung cakes, thereby improving the health and well-being of millions of Indian households.

How did the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) make LPG accessible to low-income families?

The Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) made LPG accessible by offering a deposit-free LPG connection. This covered the cost of the cylinder, regulator, and installation, which significantly lowered the initial financial barrier for Below Poverty Line (BPL) households to adopt clean cooking fuel. This approach directly addressed the economic constraints that often prevented low-income families from switching to LPG.

What are the main factors influencing sustained LPG adoption among households, as discussed in the context of the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) program?

Several factors influence sustained LPG adoption. Affordability is a major concern, as the price of LPG cylinders can be a barrier, especially with fluctuating global energy prices and subsidy adjustments. Behavioral factors, such as traditional cooking practices, also play a role and require targeted awareness campaigns. Accessibility to refills, particularly in remote areas, is crucial for sustained LPG usage. Addressing these factors is essential for the success of the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY).

How has the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) impacted LPG adoption across different regions of India?

Regional analysis reveals disparities in the impact of the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY). The North, West, and South regions of India have shown more significant progress in LPG adoption compared to the East and North East. These variations suggest the importance of tailoring policies to local contexts, considering factors such as income levels, infrastructure development, and cultural norms. Therefore, a one-size-fits-all approach may not be as effective as strategies adapted to regional realities.

Beyond providing LPG connections, what policy recommendations are suggested to ensure a sustainable energy transition in the context of the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY)?

To achieve a truly sustainable energy transition, policymakers must address the challenges hindering sustained LPG adoption. Targeted interventions, income support, and community-specific approaches are essential to ensure that the benefits of clean cooking reach all households, regardless of their socio-economic status or geographic location. Policymakers should focus on addressing affordability issues, promoting awareness campaigns, and improving the accessibility of LPG refills, especially in remote areas. Only then can India realize a healthy and prosperous future powered by clean energy, building upon the foundation laid by the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY).